The power of storytelling in Hoi An
DNO - More and more tourists hope to get a deeper understanding of the destination rather than a place to stay. Tourism professionals in Hoi An (Da Nang City) can provide information with their storytelling.
The Hoianese Cultural Experiential Hotel puts local culture into the accommodation experience, allowing visitors to see Hoi An through local memories, lifestyles, and residents. The hotel is providing tourists with walking tours to explore Hoi An Ancient Town, cycling trips to Cam Kim Village, and conversations about Vietnamese history.
Behind the old moss-covered tile roofs
In the afternoon, the gentle sunlight falls on the tile roofs of the ancient houses in Hoi An Ancient Town. A group of foreign tourists walks slowly on its streets. Accompanying them is a Hoianese storyteller, who is a tourist guide and will evoke memories hidden behind a traditional assembly hall, a local dish, or a way of life still preserved by the locals.
Hoi An allures visitors with its sparkling lanterns, the Hoai River, time-worn roofs, and yellow glow at night. However, this ancient town is not just a beautiful destination. Behind its old appearance lies the history of a trading port, traces of cultural and religious exchange, traditional crafts, and a lifestyle passed down through generations.
Anna, a tourist from Australia, said she initially thought Hoi An was attractive thanks to its ancient beauty. But after walking through the old town and listening to its historical stories, what resonated with her was a feeling of being closer to local life. She said she would return to Hoi An to meet more local people and hear more stories about this ancient city.
From above tourists' demand, Hoianese has developed a model of accommodation linked to local culture. Ms. Pham Ngoc Huyen Trang, co-founder of Hoianese Cultural Experiential Hotel said that her hotel chain was formed from a love for the ancient town and a desire for tourists to experience Hoi An in the way that the people who live there have loved and been attached to it. Hoianese currently organizes four experiential activities.
For the Walking Tour, visitors follow a guide through the iconic landmarks of the old town, listening to stories from a local perspective.
The Cultural Countryside Cycling Tour takes visitors away from the bustling city, cycling through the countryside, visiting craft villages, and exploring local homes.
The Local Food Tour - Eat like local tells the story of Hoi An through the flavors of familiar small eateries.
Meanwhile, the History Talk provides visitors with context about 20th-century Vietnamese history, helping them better understand the layers of culture and spirit of the Vietnamese people today.
Those working in tourism become "storytellers"
In tourism, the quality of accommodations, services, and amenities is easily seen. But those working in tourism can also play another role: storytellers. Therefore, Hoianese aims for each employee to be a "cultural ambassador", possessing hospitality, a deep understanding of the place they live, and the ability to share local stories in a relatable and accurate way.
To enhance its staff's knowledge, Hoianese organizes internal activities such as visits to Thanh Ha pottery village, the kiln of artisan Le Duc Ha, the Da Nang Museum, and cultural tours in Hoi An. Through these activities, each member gains more understanding and material to introduce local values to tourists. They also open up a direct connection between tourists and the local community.
Rather than an accommodation, the new approach of this hotel reveals the broader role of tourism professionals in a land of rich heritage, Hoi An Ancient Town. Beyond simply welcoming and providing services for visitors, the hotel contributes to introducing Hoi An people's memories and daily life more clearly in today's travel experience.